In the grand probability of endless potential and opportunity, there exists a timeline where everything goes right, rather than wrong. A timeline where events play out as close to the current one, yet key subtle differences alter and change the fates of those touched. Within the endless reaches of time, space and opportunity, we find ourselves inside the empty back of a cargo truck driving around Mantle. Inside were the Huntresses Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna after James had declared martial law. Situation was escalating fast and it didn't look like it was going to get better anytime soon. The plan was easy, according to Clover. Set up an ambush between a few trucks sashing members of their teams, Yang had volunteered herself and Blake who had her own reasons, also volunteered herself. Ever since the election night a full two days ago, Hill had hit multiple trucks and used the stolen supplies to enforce Mantle. Her actions gave rise to more rebellion in the people of Mantle and Martial Law was getting closer and closer on James' option table. Blake didn't like that. At all! It felt way too totalitarian and unjust. Especially since there was no reason to be this aggressive towards Mantle. In Vale, she had distrusted Ozpin for the lack of steps he was taking for equality. Now she realized how big of a dreamer she had been. Because Atlas was way worse than Vale had been.

"Hey…you think we should have told Ironwood about Salem? Before he put all his eggs in the Amity basket", Blake looked up from the mission brief of her scroll and glanced at Yang. Is this why she volunteered herself for the mission? "It sounds like you do"

"I trust Ruby, but I think he deserves knowing the truth. We all did", Blake's ears dropped at that. Not only because of the fact that Yang had said she wasn't agreeing with Ruby, something that had gotten more and more plain to see since the whole Jinn thing back in Mistral, but also because she didn't agree with that, something Yang also noticed; "You don't agree?"

"Look around! The embargo, military presence, restrictions on assembly…", these same things had once caused the White Fang to turn hostile, only for their voices to be heard. Oppression always breeds violence, once people are tired of being pushed around. She wondered how her father was doing with the Court, before continuing, "the General's a bit prone to overreacting"

"Yeah, hard to argue with that…", Blake's eyes rolled, then why are you going to argue with it? Such statements always followed a counterpoint, "Still, he didn't have a lot of good options. Keeping secrets to prevent a leak, makes sense but Mantle deserves to know"

"I don't know if there are many good options left", Blake said, there it was, Yang's point. She also didn't know what to do. If the words are to be believed that Robyn was offered a deal if she cooperates was not sitting right, especially this dirty tactic of cloak and dagger. It felt too real to the Faunus persecutions of her father back in the day; "but ambushing a Huntress who's trying to do what's right, isn't something I'm comfortable with"

"Then maybe we shouldn't", Yang opted. Blake gave her a look. Expose the plan to Robyn? Would that be smart? Sure Qrow, Yang's uncle didn't trust the General and Blake was having doubts about how 'right' his head was on that massive shoulder frame, but willingly exposing data like that? Could backfire immensely. Not to mention what reason would Robyn have to trust them. Blake wondered, if only there was a way to secure that they'd encounter her and not the other ambush teams. Suddenly Blake's eyes widened. The rally, if Ruby's report was to be believed, she did have a way to secure that. She tapped the earbud she'd gotten from Adam, Yang looking on in curiosity as her teammate had gotten quiet.

"Gakusei…you there?", it wasn't quiet for long as almost instantly the reply came. "Sensei, what can I do for you? Any trouble?"

"Just wondering…if you had that assignment about Hill right?", she asked, it was dangerous to speak open with the Atlesian Knights piloting the truck. And while Clover had said he was going radio silent, there was still the matter of chatter being heard. Yang also gave her a confused look. But she was focused on the codes.

"Easy enough, but the Hill has been weary given all the attention it was getting", Adam sounded out of breath, maybe he was running around? With Robyn. She had an idea.

"Well if you want to go over the notes, we're getting to the fifty-first page soon…see you there", Blake held her breath, before she got the confirmation she needed. "We'll be there"

"What was that?", Yang wondered as she saw Blake exhale with a soft smile on her face.

"We might get that talk with Robyn after all"

"Amity, the supplies…there for a new…communications tower", Blake said after they had chased Robyn into the ally. Hiding in the shadows as they spoke, Blake spilled the secret. It was out now, there wouldn't be any going back from this.

"That doesn't make any sense…", Robyn dropped her weapon but not her guard. Urging Yang to try and explain about the tower. "A new coms tower means.."

"I know what it means fisticuffs…", Blake sniffled a giggle as Yang was given a funny nickname. But it wasn't looking good, Blake could feel that Robyn wasn't buying it and willing to bolt, after all the Ace Ops were closing in.

"Trust them Robyn", came the male voice she'd heard earlier today. Appearing from the shadows was Adam. She only identified him from the horns and the voice, because he looked different. A cowl on his face to hide most of his face, new shining red coat, knee high combat boots of black, black belt. He even had a new weapon. Yang however wasn't as clear with it and tilted her head. "Adam?"

"You now these two, Adamant?", Blake noticed the name change and just before Yang could drop that that wasn't his name, she elbowed him, urging her to be quiet for now.

"I sure do, I trained her to fight as well as she does", Adam said as he gestured towards Blake, before pointing at Yang, "and she's a good friend of my student, despite my wrongdoings for which I'm sorry"

Robyn looked between them and sighed. She then stepped forwards, "One of you take my hand"

"What?", Yang said in disbelief, making Robyn answer rather quickly. "You said time is short. Either take it, or I'm gone"

"Trust her, Gakusei", Adam said, not wanting to divulge Blake's name, knowing that people might hear or notice. Blake sighed, walked forwards, resolute and took Robyn's hand. She felt that tingle as her and Robyn's hand were coated in a thin lilac layer. Her Aura? No Semblance! "Tell me again..what is Ironwood building in the tundra?"

"A new communications tower. He's trying to help everyone", Blake said, as she felt the tingling lessen as the colour around their hands turned green. "You're telling the truth"

"Handy Semblance", Yang admitted, which went ignored by Hill as she looked at Adam and back at the two Huntresses. "But why keep that a secret?"

"Because he doesn't know who to trust. Atlas isn't out to get anyone, the ones killing people only want to frame him, sowing discord and division. And if they discover his plans for Amity, they'll try to ruin it and shut it down", Blake spoke quickly, time will definitely be almost out, especially with all the seconds wasted arguing.

"Who's they? Who's actually behind this?!", Robyn asked, Yang received a transmission, asking for a location. She groaned and walked closer, "We can't tell you that part yet"

"Bullsh-"

"We're trusting you, so trust us when we say that Amity Tower needs to stay a secret until it's done! We just need a little more time", Blake's ear twitched as she heard people nearing their location.

"We have to get moving", Adam said as he gently grabbed Robyn's shoulder, "I can vouch for them…they're trustworthy"

"We'll throw them off", Blake said as she ran back.

"I won't stop until I know the whole truth", Yang saw Adam and Robyn run further into the shadows and sighed. SHe then shook her head. No you shouldn't. The whole truth is unkind, unjust and makes the world seem darker than it already was. As Yang turned to run after Blake, she once again sighed, Raven was right. For running away. Leonardo wasn't that big of a coward either. He had tried to survive against a force that couldn't be stopped. Jinn had said so, Salem can't be killed. Why Ruby wasn't accepting this, made no sense.

An absence of sense was all that was true about all of this. A dinner party? Right after all that had happened? And for what? Just to get that embargo off? Jacques had truly lost all sense of self. Weiss straightened her back, getting into the Mansion shouldn't be a problem, seeing as she's a Schnee. But looking around for information was going to be the hardest part. Proof of which happened when the door opened. And just like the absence of anything making sense, so was Klein.

"Witley? Where is Klein?", Weiss wondered as she saw her younger brother look at her, he was the splitting image of his father.

"What a way to greet your brother, elder sister! As for Klein, he was let go", he said, mimicking his father's behavior when a conversation didn't go the way he wanted. Until his eyes sparked with a snicker, "can't imagine why"

Weiss felt the sting in her heart. Sure Coal had helped her, but Jacques would have used a scapegoat. And everyone in the mansion knew that Weiss liked Klein. Yet before Weiss could interact or reply to that, Witley took control of the conversation. "General exactly how large do you think our dining room table is?"

"I happen to know it's large enough. But most of my people are simply here if the Council wants more eyewitnesses. Most will simply enjoy the festivities. Since we were invited cordially", James said formally. This made Witley give the fakest smile anyone could muster before he turned with a frown and led them inside. Weiss, who'd lived her childhood here, wasn't impressed. Many of the others were. Weiss could see Ruby's childlike impressed eyes gaze at the 'castle' she owned. But that wasn't fair to her friends. After all, once upon a time Weiss asked her grandfather the same thing.

"For those joining us in the dining hall, please follow me", leading everyone away, Witley marched himself towards the door of the dining hall. What a curious occasion that THE man of the hour forwent his own party just to petty his way in with James. Oh Jacques you truly fell deep for this haven't you.

"Wish us luck", Qrow rolled his eyes, "isn't that why you're here?"

"YOU AGAIN?!", Weiss and the others turned as they saw a familiar blonde, dressed in the same black dress that Weiss had seen her in during the charity concert aftermath. She smirked as she knew exactly how to handle these sorts of people. "My, still wearing that thing from the fundraiser? Don't you have anything more stylish to wear?"

Her remark made the woman go beet red. Qrow denied the offered wine and said he'd patrol the grounds, Marrow feeling uneasy in the arguably most anti Faunus place in Atlas, agrees. Harriet warns them of causing trouble, Yang admits she wants to cause trouble. Weiss simply walks off. As Witley returns from the dining hall and sees her moving up the stairs, he unfortunately crosses paths with Qrow causing him to trip and spill wine over his clothes, earning a snicker from the people present. Weiss makes her way up and goes about her mission to find whatever stinks about Jacques political gain. THere was no way he'd win that election. She walks through hallways and corridors, spying a single lone silent Waitress that looks at her before skipping away with a tray of food, how curious to go this far away from the kitchen. Yet as Weiss got to the office she wondered if it would be locked. Yet a quick check proved her wrong. Ah yes, ever the arrogant egomaniac, Weiss entered and as she did, she froze. "Hello darling"

"Mom…?", Weiss flabbergasted! Normally mom wouldn't even leave her room, just sticking to the garden. Why she'd spend her time at the garden, drinking, was beyond Weiss. Not that the garden wasn't pretty. But it was rather chilly and alone out there. Even with the staff. What was truly odd was how even after all these years of seeing her drunk and unfocused, somehow she seemed even worse than before. She walked around Jacques' desk, holding half an empty glass in one hand. And a full bottle of wine in the other. She looked terrible. As if she had slept even less than before. Her hair was a little less put together, not that she was all there nowadays, but somehow she looked more sad than ever.

"I'm sorry I didn't come down for your party…I'm afraid I'm not feeling well", Weiss sighed. Alright no she wasn't all there anymore. Her party? Weiss wanted to tell her mother that she hadn't thrown a party, since she was ten. After all, how could she forget the events that happened that night, as they were permanently put on her face for all to see. Yet when she saw Willow standing there, almost swaying from the alcoholic toxins coursing through her bloodstream and dulling her senses, she felt a strange form of pity. There had been a time when Willow wasn't this barely functioning adult, but an actual mother, despite Jacques' rather…physical tendencies when things turned sour. So despite the fact that she wanted to throw that dose of reality at the drunk woman standing there, she was still her mom. Something Weiss clung to, considering she had stopped calling Jacques 'father'.

"It's…ok mom. It's fine..", I'm used to it anyway, Weiss swallowed that part up. A small shine in the dull and empty eyes of her mom caught Weiss off guard. "What…are you doing in your father's office?"

"I could ask you the same thing, but I'm just looking for something I left", Weiss said as she walked closer to her mother. While she didn't mean anything by her word choice, the word 'left' seemed to give that shine in her mom's eyes even more brightness. It was as if she slowly woke up from a haze.

"Left…that's..that's right you left…wait…", Willow's eyes shot open in a panic as she glared at her daughter, the adrenaline of her fear burning away the haze of the alcohol, "...you're not back…are you?! Please tell me you're not returning home! That you're not staying here.."

Weiss was put off by that outburst. Not because her mother spoke those words, but the context of them. She wasn't asking, outright demanding, that Weiss come home or rather wasn't welcome. No, there was fear in her words. Afraid Weiss would come home. Return to this cold and hateful family that Jacques had created in his endless greed. Weiss steeled herself as she prepared her answer: "No…I'm never coming back here"

There was an instant wave of relief that crawled over Willow's eyes. Even the faintest smile, though that was but a sad memory of how wonderfully bright mom could smile before the days turned cold and lonely. Willow's eyes grew wet as tears streamed over her face. Weiss had to bite her lip in a subtle way to not give in, her own mom actually happy to see her daughter go away and refuse to come home. What a messed up family was this anyway. Would Grandfather even agree or accept this? His own daughter so broken and scared, his grand daughters leaving home and never wanting to return. "Good…very good…"

Willow wiped her tears away and downed her half empty glass in a solid single swig. The familiar empty and dull eyes returning as the heavy intoxicating liquid began dulling her once more. Weiss shook her head as she stepped besides her mom and reached for her father's computer. "I need to use Jacques' computer…because I know something's off about the election and any proof of my suspicions would be on there"

"Why…proof of what?", Willow wondered as she followed her daughter's hands trying to type in a password. Coming up with an 'access denied'.

"Of whatever wrongs he's done", Weiss tried another thing, but the code wasn't right this time either. Guess she didn't know the man he was after all. Money and 'profit' weren't the words to get in.

"I thought we all simply assumed that at this point", Willow put her hand on the empty glass. Weiss saw it, one of her hands going towards her eyelid, something Willow saw happen, clenching her fingers on the glass.

"Yes well..some of us are trying to do something about it", drinking yourself into a stupor. Was this how Yang and Ruby felt about their uncle? It wasn't right. Sure Weiss knew that Willow was hurt, they all were. But to just be complacent in it? That was an unjust remark, Weiss scolded herself. After all it took her months after Beacon, where she learned to be free and be her own person, reverting back to the 'obedient child' Jacques had beaten into her, to burst free from her cage and decide her own fate and destiny. Willow just didn't have the aid Weiss had in her friends. Yet the remark didn't leave Willow untouched. Or was it the scar on Weiss' eye. Willow let the glass go, and simply took a large swig from the bottle. She needed to, because her mind's eye served her up the memory of that evening, nine years ago. When Jacques yelled and slapped her, causing Willow's hand to slip and the glass in her hand to shatter against the wall, shards of it flew at Weiss' face and scarred her eye. Willow never forgave herself for being the reason her beautiful daughter was now marked that way. When half the bottle was downed and the memory turned into a dark fog inside her mind, the Schnee Matriarch sighed.

"He started locking his home computer. But fortunately…he still has blind spots", Willow brought her scroll up as Weiss looked at her, she revealed a hidden camera was watching them both. "You..put a camera in here?"

"I put them in every room of this house. For our safety! In case I ever…", Willow's thoughts returned, not enough alcohol could drown out the horrors she'd experienced in these isolated halls. A bruised Winter, black eyes on Willow, Weiss ending on her knees in a pool of her own blood, because of Willow and Jacques. Once more tears crawled up into her eyes but she forced them away. "A man came by…I'm afraid your father may have done more harm than he realizes"

Weiss saw her mother beginning to leave. She could see the pain in her eyes and the hurt that happened. She recalled that one evening and sighed. Dammit Ruby. In a split second she stopped her mother and threw her arms around her. Gently hugging her as she blinked her own tears away. Willow froze as she stood there, shivering, the scent of powder snow confusing her as she looked down at Weiss.

"Mom…I never blamed you", Weiss said, as she knew that the reason Willow was avoiding her most of the time, was because of that scar. This was a conversation they should have had years ago, but Weiss had not been the woman she was today. All thanks to her friends, her family. It took a few moments, Willow was stunned and didn't know what to say or how to react, so Weiss let go of her and smiled. "Thank you for helping me"

Willow turned around, tears streaming over her cheeks as she held the now empty bottle. She needed more. And fast! She got at the door but stopped.

"No matter what happens, Weiss…don't forget your brother…"

"But..Witley doesn't want anything to do with me", Weiss said, looking at her mom shutting herself out once more. There was a faint giggle as Willow turned, Weiss seeing her mom's crying eyes and breaking voice. "Off course not…you left him alone…with us…an abusive father and a deadbeat mother"

With that Willow left the room, leaving Weiss with her thoughts as she pondered the video. She was so dazed and in thought about the words her mother said, about the pain her brother would have endured, she didn't realize she hit play until her father's voice sounded through the speaker.

That repulsive mustached snake, how can anyone listen to him speak and not want to punch him in the face. Robyn had to agree with Adamant when he said he'd not shadow her or he'd run the Schnee boss through. She was starting to miss Sciryuda, her wrist mounted fan crossbow, if only to shoot it at that white haired mustache.

"Why is she here?", the general asked out loud and Robyn felt insulted!

"What we're all doing here James, addressing the concerns of our kingdom. Which means we have much to discuss", Jacques was a good politician, Robyn had to admit, he knew how to sound friendly and think of his own pocket book.

"I agree, I suggest we-"

"Are we safe here with that thing sitting at my table? I do recall some…confusion about her involvement at that regrettable massacre", Oh he was really good, Robyn's fist clenched under the table. First he pretends to care about the kingdom and not his wallet, while simultaneously blocking Ironwood's attempts to take control of the conversation.

"As the official report stated…that footage was doctored. Penny is completely under my control", Robyn almost wanted to slap the general. What word choice was that even?! Sure everyone knew Mantle's Protector was a machine, the Vytal Festival had done away with any secrecy there. But to say it like that was playing directly into Jacques' hand!

"Which is concerning, lets talk about what exactly you control", next came a boring expose of all the things that Jacques didn't like that was under James' control. Which, according to Robyn; seemed like a none issue. Sure he was both headmaster and general, meaning he had two seats on the Council. But all that talk about the embargo costing millions to the SDC was such a non issue for Robyn she rubbed her temples and zoned out for a second.

"The fact of the matter is that you've operated with a fair amount of autonomy for the last few years James, but what we need right now is for you to work with us!", Robyn awoke from her stupor as the boomstick voice of Sleet spoke up

"Sir, I have-"

"It's obvious that no kingdom intends to declare war on Atlas. We weren't involved with the Haven incident and have proof our drones acted against orders at Beacon. At this point the closing of borders only serves to hurt our relationship with the rest of the world", Robyn's eyes shot wide as this woman talked about the world, ignoring Mantle once again. But then, every rabbit knows that to avoid death you just keep running.

"I-"

"The rest of the world?! What about us, people in Mantle are suffering and want to know why!", Robyn glared not only at the two council members but also at the general.

"Quite right miss Hill", Robyn glared back at Jacques. How dare that snake use her to further back James into a corner!? What manner of game was this snake playing, "And I'm afraid there's more than just your choices that have brought harm to the citizens as of late. Have your forces found any additional evidence as to who is slaughtering innocent civilians down in Mantle?"

"That is an ongoing investigation, I'm afraid details about that are classified until we've found a lead to-", Robyn's eyes passed over Winter, whose finger was restless, she quickly glanced at Jacques, yeah he had seen it as well, he was pushing Winter, using his estranged daughter in this game? How did people ever vote this serpent in office.

"I'm afraid of the ever growing list of classified information that you seem to be keeping. I asked our fellow Councilmen here to shed some light on your Amity Colosseum project, but as it turns out, they know as much as I do, which is nothing"

"Even you don't know?", Robyn looked back between both ends of the table, she felt like she was caught in two crossfires. And she hated being used like this.

"The Amity Project will help with all the issues you've presented. But you must understand that DISCRETION is a top priority at this time!"

"Are you saying you don't trust us?", Jacques hadn't even said the final words when Winter blew up at the table.

"You can't just buy trust like everything else! You have to EARN it!", Robyn could see the mustache curl into a smile. Jacques was happy that he had at least the ability to emotionally dominate ONE of his daughters. But this proved he still had his grip on Winter. And Weiss wouldn't fall behind. He'd get her to fall in line, and then he'd beat that insubordinate streak clean out of her!

"I couldn't have said it better myself…", Winter realized he had used her, she had still not managed to break free from that man, even now!? "General I'll be blunt: you have spent what little trust this Council has in you. The hacker who turned Atlas Drones against us was never caught, whomever has been murdering your critics is still at large, how are we supposed to give you our trust when you have given nothing to show for it as of late?"

"That's not-"

"Winter..that's enough", Winter's anger boiled even further in her core. This felt eerily similar to when that drunk idiot attacked her at Beacon! Maneuvered and played for a fool, used as the scapegoat. Only back when Qrow had pushed her to fly off the handle, the General had called her Schnee. She looked at James and saw a huge level of disappointment in his eyes, which she recalled was also the same eyes when he confronted her about showing Weiss the Winter Maiden's location. Winter felt like breaking and she wouldn't grant her father the pleasure! "Excuse me"

"Oh and lets not forget the rumors about you and my wife general", Oh we're going into that level? Robyn once again zoned out.

Truth be told, Weiss felt a LOT of pleasure and justification as her genetic donor rambled and chanted his words, desperately trying to get his way out of a situation that was so stupidly impossible to talk your way out off. He was a snake, but when in the claws of a hawk, they simply wither and die.

"That…isn't real…"

"Unfortunately for you, it is, Géle. I've checked the source myself", Weiss said as he threw an infuriating look at Weiss. A cold hatred and rage burned in Jacques gut. How dare this girl do this to him, his hand twitched, wanting to beat obedience into the girl. Sleet also wasn't happy; "Jacques…take your seat!"

In a way it was quite comically hilarious seeing him try to run away like that. Like a Pumpkin Pete morning cartoon villain on the holonet. Yet Weiss wasn't laughing. She stomped her foot as a massive Arma Gigas manifested outside the door and blocked his path. When he turned his accusatory glare back at Weiss, even daring to use her name in an 'you as well?' type way, Weiss went all in! Finally this monster would pay for the terrible deeds he had done!

"Jacques Géle, you are under arrest for domestic violence, election fraud and insulting the Schnee name!", her voice was formal, her tone was powerful and her heart was in it! She felt liberated, as if the very act of finally doing this had given her wings! Only.. "can I do that?"

James quickly shoved Jacques' chair into a more 'comfortable' position as he was surrounded by people out for blood! James pressed him, Clover was called away for a second, an emergency message coming in over the comlink, despite stupendous and humongous mountains of evidence around him, the snake still tried to worm his way out of it. But while the framing of Penny had been put down as a done case, Robyn had noticed another issue here. If Watts had designed the systems in Mantle, why weren't they updated after his death? Why had they once again only stuck to Atlas with their resources? This was a tragic and quite frankly unforgivable oversight.

"I assume that the Atlesian security measures were updated after Beacon fell?", her voice was normal, but the words cut like blades. James looked away while Sleet and Camilla barely reacted. So that was a solid yes. But they kept grilling Jacques. And while it was true that he had given the backdoor into the systems of Atlas, those openings were all over Mantle. But Robyn supposed, that wasn't on the Council's priority list. "the blood of the people that died at my rally…is on your hands!"

"Jacques Schnee must stand trial. Not just for treason but as an accessory to murder!"

"Those are outrageous accusations…I only intended to win the election. I had nothing to do-", a massive fist struck his face and gave him a black eye as Robyn Hill's anger boiled over. ONLY? Fiona had gotten hurt. Lives were lost and all this jackass thought about was the election? His standing and money? She had lost it and clocked him straight in the face! While everyone looked in awe and shock at that happening, no one made an effort to stop her. "Well I ONLY wanted to do what's right"

"We should tell Ironwood", Ruby and Oscar said at the same time. Before they both laughed and smiled. Ruby didn't know what or why, but she enjoyed spending time with Oscar. When she was with him, things made a little more sense. Unlike Yang and her friends being so twisted and depressed.

"Guess we're on the same page, huh", Ruby said, looking deep in Oscar's eyes.

"Guess so", Oscar seemed to sink in thoughts for a moment, "He's finally choosing the truth over fear. We should do the same"

"I'll tell him, I was the one who hid the Oz truth from him in the first place", Ruby offered, to which Oscar shook his head in denial as Marrow called out for Ruby to move faster, "I think you're needed elsewhere"

"You're sure?", Ruby wondered, Oscar merely raised his thumbs up, "Yeah, I've got it"

"Good luck out/in there", Ruby and Oscar smiled once more as they were synced. Before Ruby rushed out. Marrow rolled his eyes. "Ugh, kids"

"There a problem…", Qrow said as he appeared from behind the door and Marrow yelped like a kicked dog.

"Oz…ran away?", James asked confused, Oscar nodded, "When we learned of the things he had hidden. Jinn showed us that he couldn't kill Salem. But Ruby, myself ad Nora believe that means that we still have a chance"

"Why would Oz keep this secret? Why didn't he trust us?", James felt betrayal. That was the leading role here. First Jacques for a mere council seat. Then Robyn had known about Amity, someone inside his inner circle had talked. But who? Given that Winter had shown Weiss the Maiden, was there a chance Weiss had? No that would've been noticed. They're all monitored by the com specialists. So there was another leak. Watts couldn't have leaked that. So who did?

"He was worried about losing hope. After all Leonardo had fallen to Salem who knows how long ago. And we're sorry for not trusting you either. Worried you'd react negatively to what happened", James was quiet, sunken in thought as Oscar looked at him. After a moment he became worried; "Sir…what's on your mind?"

"For now we'll focus our efforts and energy on protecting Mantle"

"He'd be proud of you, sir. You're bringing the hope that Atlas should bring, the city in the sky is held to a higher standard"

"I can't shake it!", Harriet screamed as the Grimm creature clawed at the bulkhead, A Teryx. Qrow saw that everyone was worried and sighed, "I got it"

He walked towards the ramp and opened it slightly, as he turned to look at everyone watching, he pointed at the windshield, he saw another Teryx approaching.

"Look out!", Everyone's eyes looked to the front, everyone but Ruby who nodded as Qrow jumped towards the small opening of the ramp and became a bird. He swiftly flew up towards the top, where the first Teryx had been clamoring and attacking. Qrow turned back human and drove Harbinger deep into the creature, killing it and turning it to dust. As he saw the other Teryx attack, he went for his Scythe for the better range and killed it swiftly as well. Making the landing easier for all as he climbed off and watched as Clover smiled at him.

"You all have your assignments and teams, so lets move out people!"

"Did you find what we've been looking for?", a voice asked as the mute and yet unnamed and unemployed Waitress that Weiss had seen earlier entered the apartment room they had been staying in. Neo dropped her disguise and saw Aschen appear, who looked tired but eager. Giving a playful flick of her hat, the mute girl nodded.

"The relic…good", Aschen said, before she threw her hand at her head and screamed, "will you shut up!?"

Neo had seen these outbursts alone, this woman was insane, that was for sure. IN truth Aschen was arguing with Cinder. Why and how she hadn't faded yet was annoying. But her voice was becoming softer, more distant. Soon Aschen would be free of her, the skills of Cinder with the powers adding to her own. Over the last few weeks, she and Neo had been doing information gathering. With her disguises Neo had been infiltrating the School and scouting for what they're looking, the relic. But Aschen? She had been busy at the darker under belly. She had found another angle to pressure James. A certain blue devil was causing all matter of trouble, looking for the killer of his brother, and Aschen had disovered who it was. They were cleverly maneuvering pieces and players in position.